Constipation is a very painful and annoying condition that affects 2% of the population in the U.S., is more common in women and the elderly, and is almost universal.
Going longer than three days without a bowel movement is too long because after three days, the stool or feces become harder and more challenging to pass. The normal time between bowel movements varies greatly from person to person. Some people have bowel movements three times a day; others only once or twice a week. Constipation occurs when bowel movements become difficult or less frequent.
Two or more of the following must be present for at least three months in order to be considered constipated:
- Over 25% of the time, straining occurs during a bowel movement.
- Over 25% of the time, I get hard stools.
- Almost a quarter of the time, evacuation is incomplete.
- A week should only include two bowel movements.
Some people have an underlying fear that they will be “poisoned” by their own intestinal wastes (feces) if they retain the waste in their bodies for too long. None of these things are true. Constipation is often associated with the idea that wastes stored in the body are absorbed, are harmful to health, and may shorten our lifespan.
Although older people are five times more likely than younger people to develop constipation, experts contend that this age group’s prevalence of constipation is overestimated because older people tend to worry excessively about having a daily bowel movement.
At the extreme end of the constipation spectrum is fecal impaction, a condition where stool hardens in the rectum and prevents any stools from passing at all. This pattern frequently occurs as part of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Ninety-five percent of adults have bowel movements between three and 21 times per week, which would be considered normal. The most common pattern is one bowel movement per day, but this pattern is seen in less than 50% of people. The frequency of bowel movements typically decreases with age.
CAUSES OF CONSTIPATION
Poor eating habits, unhealthful bowel habits, or issues with physical, functional, or voluntary stool elimination can all cause constipation.
Constipation has the following primary causes:
- Poor dietConstipation may result from consuming foods low in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, but high in animal fats (dairy, meats, and eggs), or refined sugar.
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Poor bowel habitsConstipation can spiral out of control if you ignore your urge to urinate.
- It is possible to eventually stop wanting to empty your bowels.
- For instance, some people may refrain from using public restrooms or neglect using the restroom because they are busy, both of which cause progressive constipation.
- MedicationsNumerous drugs may result in constipation.
- PainkillersFor example, drugs that contain opiates may affect bowel movements.
- TravelConstipation may be brought on by lifestyle modifications, inadequate hydration, and fast food consumption.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (spastic colon)This disorder alters bowel function, which can lead to crampy abdominal pain, excessive gas, bloating, and constipation. This is one of the most common causes of constipation.
- Laxative abuseIt takes time for a person to become dependent on laxatives after using them regularly.
- PregnancyEach of the following conditions causes excruciating pain during feces, which can result in a reflex spasm of the anal sphincter muscle.
- Intestinal obstructionThe following scenarios may lead to mechanical compression and interference with the bowel’s regular operations:
- AgeThese factors make older adults more susceptible to constipation.
SYMPTOMS OF CONSTIPATION
Depending on your age, your diet, and your normal bowel habits, you may experience a wide range of constipation symptoms, including the following:
- A bowel movement’s beginning or finishing being difficult
- If you have intestinal obstruction, nausea, vomiting, no defecation, and the inability to pass gas, you may experience irregular bowel movements, infrequent and difficult bowel movements, hard stool after prolonged straining in the toilet, crampy abdominal pain, excessive gas, a feeling of bloating, and a change in your bowel habits.
DIAGNOSIS OF CONSTIPATION
A doctor should be consulted if constipation persists for longer than two weeks so that the cause of the problem can be identified and treated. If constipation is caused by colon cancer, early detection and treatment are crucial. Most patients with constipation do not require extensive testing to diagnose the condition.
In order to determine what is causing your constipation, your doctor may order the following tests:
- If you suspect a hormonal imbalance, get a blood test.
- Barium tests are performed to check for colon obstruction.
- Colonoscopy to examine the colon for obstruction.
Most patients with constipation have one of two issues, neither of which is an obvious illness that would account for their symptoms:
- Colonic inertiaAn illness where the colon doesn’t contract well and holds onto stool.
- Obstructed defecationWhen trying to remove stool from the rectum, a person must exert excessive strain.
TREATMENT OF CONSTIPATION
You must agree upon reasonable treatment objectives with your doctor if your bowels are not blocked.
- Treatment may be challenging, especially for those who suffer from chronic constipation, and will always require dietary advice.
- Younger people should exercise frequently, while the elderly should increase their activity.
PREVENTION OF CONSTIPATION
Constipation can be avoided by doing a number of things, including the following:
- Fiber and water aid in the colon’s ability to pass feces, so consume a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole-grain bread, and cereal (especially bran).
- Drink 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of water and other fluids each day (unless you have a medical condition that limits your fluid intake); avoid liquids with caffeine, such as coffee and soft drinks, until your bowel habits have returned to normal; some people may need to avoid milk because dairy products may be constipating for them.
- Exercise regularly.
- When the urge strikes, empty your bladder.
If one are constipated, they must try the following:
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Unless you are restricted in fluids, sip two to four glasses more of water each day.
- In the morning, especially, try drinking warm liquids.
- Boost your diet with fruits and vegetables.
- Consume cereal with bran or prunes.
- Use a very mild laxative (such as Peri-colace or Milk of Magnesia) if necessary; do not use laxatives for longer than two weeks without consulting a physician as laxative overuse can exacerbate your symptoms.
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Unless you are restricted in fluids, sip two to four glasses more of water each day.
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR CONSTIPATION
Constipation treatment should focus on achieving bowel movements that are effortless (without straining) every two to three days rather than daily bowel movements.
Take it slow and work your way up.
- When you feel the urge to urinate, go to the nearest toilet.
- Determine whether you are currently taking any medications that might be causing your constipation with the help of your doctor and pharmacist, and see if they can be changed or discontinued.
- By eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you can increase the amount of fiber in your diet.
- If necessary, take fiber supplements (wheat bran, psyllium, etc.) as getting enough fiber from food alone may be challenging. Constipation may be difficult to treat effectively.
- Until the outcome is satisfactory, consume fiber in increasing amounts or in different varieties.
- Allow weeks for adequate trials; don’t expect fiber to work instantly.
What if these straightforward, secure measures fail to relieve constipation?
However, the cause must be determined and the proper course of treatment must be taken before homeopathic medicines can successfully restore normal bowel movements.
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR CONSTIPATION
Nux Vomica –It is very effective when a lot of laxatives have been taken regularly. The patient has become accustomed to stimulants like tea, coffee, or alcohol. There is a frequent, ineffective urge for stool, and one is only able to pass a small amount at a time. It is useful when diarrhoea and constipation alternate. There is a constant feeling of unease in the rectum. The patient is usually chilly and he gets angry easily.
Bryonia –Given when the mouth and lips feel dry and there is an increase in thirst and large amounts of water intake.
Graphites –Useful for Soreness of the anus may be noticed. There is a tendency to form fissures. Other skin affections may also be present in addition to the constipation. There is hardly any urge to poop. There are large knotty stools that are joined by mucous threads.
Alumina –Useful for constipation, even in young children. More common in children who have been artificially fed, which may mean that they have received little breast milk and have instead been given bottle milk or formula feed. Useful for dry, hard, and knotty stools that may resemble sheep. Even a soft stool must be passed with great effort.
Silicea –Useful when the feces remain in the rectum for a long time but are not expelled. The patient is typically chilly. In females, the constipation is made worse before and during menstruation.
Opium –It is helpful for constipation when the stool is hard, dry, and passed in a ball-like shape. It is also given to someone who has been taking laxatives for a long time to pass stool.
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